Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

If you’ve read my blog, you know that I repeatedly clarify that I am *not* a journalist. I’m a social worker with a degree in politicsl science. I write. I blog. But I am not trained in journalism. I am trained in community organizing and Constitutional Law.

But I am now a columnist for the region’s newst alt-publication, Pittsburgh Current. And here is my first column:

Pittsburgh is not a media-friendly town for the LGBTQ community. In fact, that holds true for all of Western Pennsylvania. There’s not a single LGBTQ-centric traditional or mainstream media outlet west of Harrisburg.

That has not always been the case. The Pittsburgh Gay News (1972-1976), Gay News (1978-1980), Gay Life (1977-1979), Planet Queer (1994-1999), and Pittsburgh’s Out (1979-2012) have offered news coverage of the regional LGBTQ community. Glossy magazines such Cue Pittsburgh (2009 – 2012), Pittsburgh’s Equal (2012-2015) and Metro Burgh (2015-2016), all have long since ceased publication. 

What we do have now is important. QueerPgh is an online cultural magazine. There is an online newsletter out of Johnstown and a print/online monthly newsletter out of Erie. We have a handful of blogs that have been around for awhile, including my own. But none of these are formal news outlets, an important distinction when the very soul of journalism is at stake in a national debate.

Now I have deadlines! Real deadlines!

I think I’ll be published every Thursday. Now I have to think of a name for the column, preferably a play on water and LGBTQ.  What do you think about ‘Retention Dikes’?  🙂

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